Assessment overview

Students must complete all components (01, 02 and 03) to be awarded the OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology.

* Indicates the inclusion of synoptic assessment.

Content overview

Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour. There are lots of possible reasons why people behave the way they do. Does a person's genes turn them to crime? Do people blindly obey authority without question? Would you make a good eyewitness? These are the sort of questions this course will cover.

Component 1: Research methods

Research methods underpin any course of psychology and students will need to be familiar with:

• research methods and techniques
• planning and conducting research
• data recording, analysis and presentation
• report writing
• practical investigations
• science in psychology.

Component 2: Core studies in psychology

Understanding of core studies develops critical thinking and independent learning, essential to the study of psychology. Students will need to be familiar with:

• core studies covering social, cognitive, development, biological and individual differences in psychology
• areas, perspectives, issues and debates
• practical applications.

Component 3: Applied psychology

In this component students will be able apply their knowledge and understanding of psychology in a range of topic areas.

Students will need to be familiar with two compulsory sections:

Mental health

• what is mental health?
• the medical model
• alternatives to the medical model
• modern approaches to mental health.

Criminal psychology

• turning to crime
• building a case
• in the courtroom
• managing offenders.

And one from:

• child psychology
• environmental psychology
• sport and exercise psychology.

Assessment overview

Students must complete both components (01 and 02) to be awarded the OCR AS Level in Psychology.

* Indicates the inclusion of synoptic assessment.

Content overview

Component 1: Research methods

This component develops knowledge and understanding of planning, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research across a range of experimental and non-experimental methodologies and techniques. Students carry out their own small-scale practical activities. Research methods underpin any course of psychology and students will need to be familiar with:

• research methods and techniques
• planning and conducting research
• data recording, analysis and presentation
• report writing
• practical investigations
• science in psychology.

Component 2: Core studies in psychology

Introduces some of the central areas of investigation in psychology organised in five key themes, each represented by a classic and a contemporary core study. The core studies reflect the contribution of psychology to an understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity. Students will need to be familiar with:

• core studies covering social, cognitive, development, biological and individual differences in psychology
• areas, perspectives, issues and debates
• practical applications.